A group opposed to coal mining at Felton, near Toowoomba in southern Queensland, hopes new rail projects will not sway government thinking when it comes to the approval of coal mines.

A private consortium last week announced it intends to build two major rail links from Toowoomba to Moree and Gladstone to Toowoomba, which would open up the Darling Downs to the port of Gladstone.

Mr Rob McCreath from the Friends of Felton group said that he hopes the plans will not influence government policy. He added that "It may do but it shouldn't, the fact that a rail line is close by shouldn't mean that it is a good idea to have a mine somewhere."

He added that "You have to take into account all the other considerations, you have to consider the prime farmland, the food producing potential of Felton. You have to consider what state it would be left in after mining."

(Sourced from www.abc.net.au)